My gaze leaps to the top of his shoulder. I silently command my eyes to stay put. Like my life depends on it and I can’t trust them not to wander.

“If you’re just going to steal the tape and not use it…,” he murmurs, voice a low, rich echo in the small room, “then I think I’d like it back.”

I shudder. Sel’s voice always feels enveloping, like a physical thing I could touch. Right now, standing this close, it settles around us both like a blanket.

I feel his gaze on the crown of my head, on my forehead. Neither one of us is moving.

One deep inhale later and I drop my eyes to examine the tape. Lift a piece up, tear it off. Simple. Damnit, if it’s so simple, then why do I have to focus on not letting my fingers shake?

I move to set the tape down behind me, but he takes it before I can shift away. Keeping me close, a small voice says.

Ignoring the heat from his skin, I stretch the material over the top of his bandage. One side down, three to go.

I reach for the tape in Sel’s hand, but he grasps it tight in his fingertips. I pull, but he won’t let go. I tug again, hear the smirk overhead. I sigh, and finally lift my eyes. The soft bow of his mouth is curved upward on one end, and his golden eyes—more burnt orange than I remember—twinkle with mischief and something that makes my heart stutter.

He tilts his head, eyes roaming across my features. “Briana Irene, forever leaping before she looks. Then she gets stuck and doesn’t know what to do.”

My voice sounds far away. “I don’t know what you mean.”

He idly examines the space between us, smirking at the inches that already feel like nothing. He leans forward with both hands on the counter, crowding me into the sink until I’m caged between his arms and his eyes are level with mine. “Liar. Your heart is pounding in your chest right now. Your breath just became shallow and fast.”

My face burns, and it has nothing to do with his gaze. “I wish you couldn’t hear all of that.”

“Can I tell you a secret, Briana?” His voice slips into the sliver of air between us, silk and heat. “I like hearing the way people respond to me.” A pause. “You, in particular.”

I shiver. “It’s involuntary.”

“Oh, I know.” His mouth quirks.

This close, I can see the pointy tips of his fangs. I feel an inexplicable urge to touch one. See if it’s sharp or dull against my finger.

Sel’s amusement skips across my cheeks. “See something you like?”